Dave Dombrowski confirms the Phillies will be cautious in starting pitching market

The Philadelphia Phillies enter the winter with a potential need for a starting pitcher. They will almost certainly lose Ranger Suarez in free agency this winter as he is projected to secure a nine-figure deal this offseason. 

This leaves them with a potential rotation that consists of Zack Wheeler, who is still working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, and Andrew Painter. 

That is not a bad rotation on paper, but they do not have many options after that. It could be wise for the Phillies to sign a back-end starting pitcher over the next few months, but it certainly won't be their highest priority 

Dave Dombrowski confirms the Phillies will be cautious in starting pitching market

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski understands the club's minor need to acquire another starting pitcher. He spoke about the needs and how the team plans to move forward, via The Athletic's Matt Gelb. 

"I can't say we wouldn't," Dombrowski said about acquiring a starting pitcher. "But, again, it's not our highest priority. ... You have to be careful. You always need to look for starting pitching depth. That doesn't necessarily mean top of the market, but where does that fit in? Because you never have enough starting pitching, and really for us, after you get past (the top six starters... now you're talking about (minor leaguer Jean) Cabrera, he would be one of those guys. But we don't have a lot of starting pitching depth, so that's something we need to be cognizant of."

All in all, the Phillies require pitching depth, but it will not be a top-of-the-line guy. Expect them to look at a lower-level starter if they go after any pitcher at all. 

Pitching is not at the forefront for the Phillies this offseason. Their main goal is to re-sign one of their clubhouse leaders, Kyle Schwarber, and that will be what the front office will put most of its focus on.

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